Geranium plant named Fiscrid

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct cultivar of geranium named Fiscrid, particularly characterized by its large brilliant red flowers, good heat tolerance, foliage with slight zonation, and medium to vigorous growth.

The present invention comprises a new and distinct cultivar of geranium,botanically known as Pelargonium zonale l'hert, and hereinafter referredto by the cultivar name Fiscrid.

Fiscrid is a product of planned breeding program which had the objectiveof creating new geranium cultivars with bright red flower color, mediumgreen foliage and good growth characteristics.

Fiscrid was originated from a hybridization made by the inventorIngeborg Schumann in a controlled breeding program in Galdar, GranCanaria, Spain in 1987. The female parent was an inbred seedling ofDresden Doll, pink, characterized by single light pink flowers withpurple eyes, foliage with weak zonation and medium growth habit. Themale parent of Fiscrid was EP 387, a dark red variety with purple eyes,foliage without zonation and compact growth habit.

Fiscrid was discovered and selected as one flowering plant within theprogeny of the stated cross by Ingeborg Schumann in 1988 in a controlledenvironment in Galdar, Gran Canaria, Spain.

The first act of asexual reproduction of Fiscrid was accomplished whenvegetative cuttings were taken from the initial selection in February1989 in a controlled environment in Galdar, Gran Canaria, Spain, by, orunder the supervision of, Ingeborg Schumann.

Horticultural examination of plants grown from these cuttings initiatedin May 1989 in Hillscheid, Federal Republic of Germany, and continuingthereafter, has demonstrated that the combination of characteristics asherein disclosed for Fiscrid are firmly fixed and are retained throughsuccessive generations of asexual reproduction.

Fiscrid has not been observed under all possible envionmentalconditions. The phenotype may vary significantly with variations inenvironment such as temperature, light intensity and day length without,however, any variation in genotype. The following observations,measurements, and comparisons describe plants grown in Hillscheid,Federal Republic of Germany under greenhouse conditions whichapproximate those generally used in commercial practice.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined tobe basic characteristic of Fiscrid, which in combination distinguishthis geranium as a new and distinct cultivar:

1. Brilliant red flower color, without tendency to fading or bluing

2. Large semi-double flowers

3. Comparatively good heat tolerance for a red flowering variety

4. Medium to broad plant habit

5. Medium green foliage with slight zonation

Of the many commercial cultivars known to the present inventor, the mostsimilar incomparison to Fiscrid is Robe. Reference is made to attachedChart A which compares certain characteristics of Fiscrid to those samecharacteristics of Robe. In general comparison to Robe, Fiscrid has asomewhat lighter flower color, more vigorous growth, and no markings onthe upper petals.

The accompanying color photographic drawing shows typical flower andfoliage characteristics of Fiscrid, with colors being as true aspossible with illustrations of this type.

In the following description color references are made to the RoyalHorticultural Society Colour Chart. The color values were determinedindoors from plants grown in a greenhouse in May at Hillscheid, FederalRepublic of Germany.

Classification:

Botanical.--A hybrid of the species Pelargonium zonale l'Hert.

Commercial.--Zonal geranium, cv., Fiscrid.

INFLORESCENCE

A. Umbel:

Shape.--Semi-spherical.

Average diameter.--115 mm.

Average depth.--55 mm.

Peduncle length.--180 mm.

Pedicel length.--35 mm.

Pedicel color.--Light to dark red.

Number of flowers per umbel.--40-50.

B. Corolla:

Average diameter.--48 mm.

Form.--Semi-double.

Average number of petals.--9-11.

Average number of petaloids.--2-4.

Color (general tonality from a distance of three meters).--Red.

Color of upper petals.--44 A.

Color of lower petals.--46 C.

Color of lower surface of petals.--46 C-D.

Color of sepals.--Mainly dark red.

Number of sepals.--5-6.

C. Bud:

Shape.--Round to elliptic.

Color (adaxial).--Green, with little anthocyanin at the base.

Color (abaxial).--Bluish pink to red.

D. Reproductive organs:

Androecium.--4-6 fertile anthers, orange pollen.

Gynoecium.--5-6 lobed stigma, dark red style and stigma.

E. Spring flowering response period: In Hillscheid, Federal Republic ofGermany, in 1993 plants had on average 0.7 flowers opened 10 weeks afterplanting of unrooted cuttings.

F. Outdoor flower production: The flower count in 1992 in Hillscheid,Federal Republic of Germany was between 25 and 30 flowers per plant forMay through August observation period.

G. Durability: Good shatter resistance.

PLANT

A. Foliage:

Form.--Kidney-shaped.

Margin.--Bicrenate.

Color of upper surface.--Medium green, approximately 137B.

Color of zonation.--Brown, approximately 166 A.

Tolerance of botrytis.--Average.

B. General appearance and form:

Internode length.--20-30 mm.

Branching pattern.--2.5 branches per plant per week.

Height (12 week old plants).--15 cm.

                  CHART A                                                         ______________________________________                                                      FISCRID   ROBE                                                  ______________________________________                                        Color of upper petals                                                                         44 A        46 B-C                                            Color of lower petals                                                                         46 C        46 C                                              Markings        None        orange eyes on                                                                upper petals                                      Plant Height    15 cm       11 cm                                             Number of flowers                                                                             0.7         1.3                                               per plant                                                                     ______________________________________                                    

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct cultivar of geranium plant named Fiscrid,as illustrated and described.